Peach tree named &#39;Burpeachthirtyone&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree ( Prunus persica ), which is denominated varietally as ‘Burpeachthirtyone’, and which produces an attractively colored white-fleshed, free stone peach which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately September 10 to September 17 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

BOTANICAL DESIGNATION

The present invention relates to a new, novel, and distinct variety of peach tree, ‘Prunus persica’.

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘Burpeachthirtyone’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present variety of peach tree resulted from an on-going program of fruit and nut tree breeding. The purpose of this program is to improve the commercial quality of deciduous fruit and nut varieties, and rootstocks, by creating and releasing promising selections of prunus, malus and juglans species. To this end we make both controlled and hybrid cross pollinations each year in order to produce seedling populations from which improved progenies are evaluated and selected.

The seedling, ‘Burpeachthirtyone’ was originated by us, and selected from a population of seedlings growing in our experimental orchards which is located near Fowler, Calif. The seedlings, grown on their own roots, were derived from a cross using the ‘Burpeacheighteen’ peach tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,496) which as the seed parent, and an unnamed white-fleshed freestone peach was used as the pollen parent. After a period of stratification, the seed was placed in a greenhouse, by population, and then field planted for tree establishment, and ultimately to exhibit fruit for evaluation. One white fleshed peach seedling, which is the present variety, exhibited especially desirable characteristics, and was then designated as ‘P7.102’. This seedling was marked for subsequent observation. After the 2006 fruiting season, the new variety of peach tree was selected for advanced evaluation and repropagation.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Asexual reproduction of this new and distinct variety of peach tree was accomplished by budding the new peach tree onto ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (un-patented). This was performed by us in our experimental orchard which is located near Fowler, Calif. Subsequent evaluations of these asexually reproduced plants have shown those asexual reproductions run true to the original tree. All characteristics of the original tree, and its fruit, were established, and appear to be transmitted through these succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

‘Burpeachthirtyone’ is a new and distinct variety of peach tree, which is considered of medium large size, and has a moderately vigorous growth characteristic. This new tree is also considered a regular, and productive bearer of relatively large, firm, white-fleshed, freestone fruit which have a very good flavor, and eating qualities. This new peach tree has a medium chilling requirement of approximately 600 hours, and further produces relatively uniformly sized fruit throughout the tree's canopy. In addition to the foregoing, the fruit of the new peach also appears to have good handling and shipping qualities. The ‘Burpeachthirtyone’ peach tree further bears fruit which are typically ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment on approximately September 10 to September 17 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

In relative comparison to the seed parent, which was Burpeacheighteen' peach tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,496), the new variety of peach tree is similar in that it bears fruit that ripens at approximately the same time, but is different in that the fruit of new variety is white-fleshed whereas the fruit of the seed parent is yellow fleshed. In relative comparison to the pollen parent, the current variety ripens approximately 4 weeks later. The current variety, when compared to the peach tree ‘Snow Fall’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,568), which is the closest variety known by the inventors at this time, ripens 5 days or more earlier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing, which is provided, is a color photograph of the new peach tree variety. The photograph depicts two whole mature fruit showing the top and bottom characteristics thereof, and one mature fruit which is bisected transversely, and below the equatorial plane, and which reveals the flesh color, and stone characteristics thereof. The external coloration of the fruit, as shown in the photograph, as provided, is sufficiently matured for harvesting and shipment. Additionally, the photograph displays a sample vegetative shoot bearing typical leaves, and a typical stone with the flesh removed. The colors in these photographs are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type. Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may, or may not, be accurate when compared to the actual specimen. For this reason, future color references should be made to the color plates (Royal Horticultural Society, Fourth Edition, 2001) and the descriptions as provided, hereinafter.

NOT A COMMERCIAL WARRANTY

The following detailed description has been prepared to solely comply with the provisions of 35 USC §112, and does not constitute a commercial warranty, (either expressed or implied), that the present variety will, in the future, display all the botanical, pomological, or other characteristics as set forth, hereinafter. Therefore, this disclosure may not be relied upon to support any future legal claims including, but not limited to, breach of warranty of merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose, or non-infringement which is directed, in whole, or in part, to the present variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of peach tree, the following has been observed during the seventh fruiting season, and under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards of the assignee which are located near the town of Fowler, county of Fresno, state of Calif. All major color code designations are by reference to the R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition, 2001), and which is provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain. Common color names are also occasionally used.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—The new variety is generally considered medium to             medium-large in its growth pattern as compared to other             common commercial peach cultivars ripening in the late             season of maturity. The tree of the present variety was             pruned to a height of approximately 275.0 cm to about 300.0             cm at commercial maturity.         -   Width.—Approximately 280.0 cm.         -   Vigor.—Considered moderately vigorous. The present peach             tree variety grew from about 165.0 cm, to about 170.0 cm in             height, during the first growing season. The new variety was             pruned to a height of approximately 150.0 cm during the             first dormant season, and primary scaffolds were then             selected for the desired tree structure.         -   Productivity.—Productive. Fruit set varies from more than             the desired crop load, to levels higher than desired levels,             when the new variety is grown in a suitable horticultural             zone, and under appropriate commercial conditions. The fruit             set is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit             into the desired market-sized fruit. The number of the fruit             set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions, and the             cultural practices employed.         -   Fruit bearing.—Regular. Fruit set has been more than             adequate during the previous years of observation, and             thinning was necessary during the past 5 years on both the             original seedling and on subsequent asexually reproduced             trees.         -   Form.—Upright, and pruned into a vase shape.         -   Density.—Considered moderately dense. It has been discovered             that pruning the branches from the center of the tree to             obtain a resulting vase shape allows for enhanced air             movement, and appropriate amounts of sunlight to improve the             fruit color, and the renewal of fruiting wood throughout the             tree.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in USDA             Hardiness Zone 9. The calculated winter chilling             requirements of the new tree is approximately 600 hours at a             temperature below 7.0 degrees C. The present variety appears             to be hardy under typical central San Joaquin Valley             climatic conditions. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 14.5 cm in diameter when measured at             a distance of approximately 15.24 cm above the soil level.             This measurement was taken at the end of the 6th growing             season.         -   Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough, with numerous             folds of papery scarfskin being present. Since bark             development, and coloration changes occur with advancing             tree age, this characteristic may vary with the tree vigor,             age and regional conditions. Therefore, this is not a             dependable descriptor of the new variety.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous flat, oval lenticels are present. The             lenticels range in size from approximately 4.0 millimeters,             to about 5.0 mm in width, and between about 1.0 millimeters             and about 2.0 millimeters in height. The development and             size of the trunk lenticels can be influenced, to some             degree, by the ambient growing conditions, and are not,             necessarily, a dependable characteristic of this variety. As             trees of this variety mature, lenticels are present, but             they are generally covered by increasing layers of cork             (mature bark) and therefore become less apparent.         -   Lenticel color.—Considered a medium orange brown, (RHS             Greyed-Orange Group 164 B).         -   Bark coloration.—Variable, but it is generally considered to             be a greyed brown, (RHS Grey-Brown Group N199 A). This bark             description was taken from trees in their seventh leaf which             have ruptured the scarf skin, and which also have developed             bark furrowing which is much more typical of the bark of             older trees. It should be noted that the coloration of the             bark is influenced, and varies, as the smoother, darker             background color approaches other bark features such as the             lenticels, and the initial fissures which form a feature of             the scarf skin development. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other peach varieties. The             branches of the present variety have a diameter of about 8.0             centimeters when measured during the fourth year after             grafting.         -   Surface texture.—Average, and appearing furrowed on wood             which is several years old.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, and             are usually growing at an angle of about 48 to about 59             degrees when measured from a horizontal plane. This             characteristic can be influenced, to some degree, by tree             vigor, rootstock and other cultural conditions.         -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture — Glabrous.         -   Internode length.—Approximately 2.1 cm.         -   Color of mature branches.—Grey brown, (RHS Brown Group N200             B).         -   Current seasons shoots.—Color. — Medium-light green, (RHS             Yellow-Green Group N144 C). The color of new shoot tips is             considered a bright and shiny green (RHS Yellow-Green Group             144 B). The vegetative shoot color can be significantly             influenced by plant nutrition, irrigation practices, and             exposure to sunlight, and therefore should not be considered             a consistent botanical characteristic of this new variety. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium large for the species. Leaves are             typically elongated, especially in relation to leaf width.             The recited leaf measurements have been taken from vigorous,             upright, current-season growth, at approximately mid-shoot.             It should be understood that the leaf size is often             influenced by prevailing growing conditions, quality of             sunlight, and the location of the leaf within the tree             canopy. For this reason, leaf sizes can vary significantly             based upon the ambient and cultural factors listed above,             and are not typically considered a dependable botanical             descriptor.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 160.0 to about 180.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 37.0 to about 43.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf base-shape.—The leaves generally exhibit equal marginal             symmetry relative to the leaf longitudinal axis.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.         -   Leaf color.—Upper Leaf Surface — Dark green, (approximately             RHS Green Group 137 B).         -   Leaf texture.—Glabrous.         -   Leaf color.—Lower Leaf Surface — Light to medium green,             (approximately RHS Green Group 139 C).         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—Color — Considered a light yellow-green,             (approximately RHS Yellow-Green Group N144 C) in the early             to mid-period of the growing season.         -   Leaf margins.—Gently undulating. Form. — Considered crenate.             Uniformity. — Considered generally uniform.         -   Leaf petioles.—Form. — Considered canaliculated, and having             a more pronounced trough when viewed from the dorsal aspect.             The petiole margin is considered rounded when viewed from             the ventral aspect. Size. — Considered medium small for the             species. Length. — About 7.0 mm. to about 11.0 mm. Diameter.             — About 1.5 mm. to about 2.5 mm. Color. — Light yellow             green, (approximately RHS Yellow-Green Group N144 D).         -   Leaf glands.—Size. — Considered small for the species;             approximately 1.0 mm in length; and about 1.0 mm in height.             Number. — Generally one to two glands per marginal side are             found. Observations of more than two glands per marginal             side are more uncommon. Type. — Glands located at the base             of the leaf are predominantly reniform in shape. Color. —             Considered a light brown, approximately (RHS Grey-Brown             Group 199 C). Typically the coloration of the glands             darkens, and occasionally begins to desiccate during, and             after, the mid-late growing season.         -   Leaf stipules.—Size. — Medium large for this variety.             Number. — Typically 2 per leaf bud, and up to 6 per shoot             tip. Form. — Lanceolate in form, and having a serrated             marginal edge. Color. — Green, (approximately RHS Green             Group 141 A) when young, but graduating to a brown color,             (approximately RHS Grey-Brown Group 199 A) with advancing             senescence. The leaf stipules are generally considered to be             early deciduous. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Hardiness.—Generally speaking no winter injury (bud death)             has been noted during the last several years of observation             in the central San Joaquin Valley. The new variety of peach             tree has not been intentionally subjected to drought, cold             or heat stress, and therefore this information is not             available. Length: approximately 12.0 millimeters. Diameter:             approximately 9.0 millimeters. Flower bud surface texture:             Pubescent. Bud orientation: — Considered appressed, less so             as blossoms near their opening. Flower Bud: — Size — Highly             dependent on maturity. Flower buds are here described             approximately 7 days prior to bloom. Bud Scale Color:             Approximately (RHS Greyed-Purple 187 A). -   Flowers:     -   -   Date of first bloom.—Observed on Feb. 25, 2012.         -   Blooming time.—Considered medium in relative comparison to             other commercial peach cultivars grown in the central San             Joaquin Valley. The date of full bloom was observed on Mar.             4, 2012. The date of full bloom varies slightly with the             climatic conditions, and the prevailing cultural practices.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 7 days. This characteristic             varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.         -   Flower class.—Considered a perfect flower, complete and             perigynous.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower.         -   Flower size.—Considered medium. The flower diameter at full             bloom, is approximately 29.0 mm. to 32.0 mm.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Normally two flower buds appear per             node, occasionally one flower bud per node is observed.         -   Petal size.—Generally considered medium for the species.             Petal Length. — Approximately 15.0 mm. to 22.0 mm. Petal             Width. — Approximately 13.0 mm. to 19.0 mm.         -   Petal form.—Considered broadly ovate.         -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.         -   Petal texture.—Glabrous.         -   Petal color.—Considered a light pink at the popcorn stage,             (RHS Red-Purple Group 62 D); and darkening with advanced             senescence, and the exposure of sunlight, to a medium pink,             (RHS Red-Purple Group 68 C).         -   Fragrance.—Slight.         -   Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered truncate, and is             generally medium when compared to other varieties. Length. —             Approximately 13.0 mm.-15.0 mm. Width. — Approximately             10.0 mm. to 12.0 mm.         -   Petal margins.—Generally considered variable, from nearly             smooth to slightly undulate and moderately ruffled.         -   Petal apex.—Generally the petal margin is entire at the tip.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium-long with an             approximate length of about 1 mm. to about 1.5 mm. Diameter.             — Approximately 1.0 mm. Color. — A medium brown,             approximately (RHS Grey-Brown Group N199 D). Surface. —             Glabrous.         -   Floral nectaries.—Color. — Considered a medium, light orange             (approximately RHS Greyed-Orange Group 163 C).         -   Calyx.—Surface Texture. — Generally glabrous. Color. — A             dull red, (approximately RHS Greyed-Red Group 178 A).         -   Sepals.—Surface Texture. — The surface has a short, fine             pubescent texture. Number. — 5 sepals Size. — Average, and             narrowly ovate in form. Sepal Length. — Approximately             4.0 mm. to 6.0 mm. Sepal Width. — Approximately 4.0 mm. to             6.0 mm. Sepal Shape. — Generally obovate. Margin. —             Considered smooth, and entire. Color. — A dull magenta,             (approximately RHS Greyed-Purple Group 183 B).         -   Anthers.—Generally. — Average in size. Color. — Red to             reddish-orange when viewed dorsally, and prior to             dehiscence, (approximately RHS Greyed-Orange Group 172 A).         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow             color, (approximately RHS Yellow-Orange Group 20 A).         -   Fertility.—Self-fertile.         -   Filaments.—Size. — Approximately 13.0 mm. to 16.0 mm. in             length. Color. — Considered white to a pinkish-white, (RHS             Red Purple Group 63 C).         -   Pistil.—Number. — Usually one, and only rarely more than             one. Generally. — Large in size. Length. — Approximately             17.0 mm. to about 19.5 mm., in length, including the ovary.             Color. — Considered a very pale green, (approximately RHS             Yellow-Green Group 145 A). Surface Texture. — The variety             has a long, pubescent pistil. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe condition (shipping             ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Approximately Sep. 23, 2012. Date of             last picking. — Sep. 30, 2012. The fruit of this new variety             is very firm and the harvesting dates, which have been             recited, can be extended. The date of harvest can vary             slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions, and the             current cultural practices.         -   Size.—Generally — Considered large, and uniform.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 72.0 mm. to about 90.0             mm.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 67.0 mm. to about 85.0             mm.         -   Typical weight.—Approximately 228.0 grams. This             characteristic is quite dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the new variety.         -   Fruit form.—Generally — Considered globose. The fruit is             generally uniform in symmetry.         -   Fruit suture.—Some slight stitching exists along the suture             line.         -   Suture.—Color — Generally, the fruit is blushed to the same             degree as the skin, (approximately RHS Red Group 46 B).         -   Ventral surface.—Form — Quite even, and uniform in             appearance when it is viewed from the lateral sutural plane.         -   Apex.—Shape — Rounded to slightly retuse.         -   Base.—Shape — Generally smooth.         -   Stem cavity.—Generally — The stem cavity extends in a             rounded, elliptical form which is generally considered             uniform. The stem cavity is slightly extended toward the             suture. The average depth of the stem cavity is about 10.0             mm.-12.0 mm. The average width of the stem cavity is about             25.0 mm. The average length of the stem cavity when measured             in the suturial plane is about 48.0 mm.         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered medium in thickness, and             tenacious to the flesh. Surface Texture. — Short, fine and             pubescent. The pubescence is uniformly distributed             throughout the skin surface. Taste. — Non-astringent.             Tendency to crack. — Not observed in the previous years of             observation, and evaluation.         -   Fruit skin color.—Blush Color. — Generally speaking, a red             blush exists on a majority of the skin of the fruit             (approximately RHS Red Group 46 B), and is more typically             present on the portions of the fruit facing the sunlight.             The blush of the fruit typically covers approximately 65% of             the fruit skin surface. The percentage of the blush on the             fruit skin surface can vary, and is generally dependent upon             the fruit's exposure to direct sunlight; specific fruit             maturity; and also the prevailing ecological and cultural             conditions under which the fruit is grown.         -   Ground color.—Yellow, (approximately RHS Yellow Group 14 D).             The ground color of the fruit can vary significantly based             upon the maturity of the fruit when this measurement is             taken.         -   Fruit stem.—Size. — Medium in length, approximately 7.0 mm.             to about 11.0 mm. Diameter. — Approximately 2.0 mm. to about             3.0 mm. Color. — Pale yellow-green, (approximately RHS             Yellow-Green Group N144 C).         -   Fruit flesh.—Ripening. — Considered even. Texture. — Firm,             juicy and dense. Considered firm yet non-melting. Fibers. —             Present, but not prominent. Aroma. — Slight. Eating Quality.             — Considered very good. Flavor. — Considered very sweet, and             with moderate acidity. The flavor is considered both             pleasant and balanced. Juice Production. — Moderate. Brix. —             About 15.0 degrees to 19.0 degrees, or higher. This             characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per             tree; the maturity of fruit when harvested; the prevailing             cultural practices; and the ambient climatic conditions.             Flesh Color. — It is considered a yellowed white,             (approximately RHS Yellow Group 12 D), with color radiating             from the stone outward which is a red-orange (approximately             RHS Orange-Red 34 A). -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Considered free stone.         -   Size.—It is generally considered to be medium-small for the             variety. The stone size varies significantly depending upon             the tree vigor, the crop load and the prevailing growing and             cultural conditions.         -   Length.—Average, about 30.0 mm. to about 33.0 mm.         -   Width.—Average, about 23.0 mm. to about 27.0 mm.         -   Diameter.—Average, about 20.0 mm. to about 22.0 mm.         -   Apex.—Shape — The stone exhibits a slight to prominently             acute apex.         -   Stone surface.—Surface Texture — Considered irregularly             furrowed toward the apex. Further, more pitting exists in             the mid-portion of the stone (laterally), and is more common             toward the base. Ridges. — Ridging is generally more             prominent, and is usually oriented parallel, and laterally             relative at the ventral and dorsal margins.         -   Form.—Roughly ovoid.         -   Base.—Shape — The stone is considered shortly attenuate.             Ventral Edge. — The ventral edge is generally considered             troughed with two reasonably distinguished edges running             parallel to, and on both sides of, the stone's suture. These             distinct edges continue from the hilum to the apex. Dorsal             Edge. — Shape — Generally considered even. The folds of the             surface ridges appearing on the external margins often end             gently along the suture.         -   Stone color.—The color of a mature, dry stone is generally             considered a medium orange-brown, approximately (RHS             Greyed-Orange Group 165 B).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting has rarely been noted.         -   Kernel.—Length. — Approximately 17.0 mm.-20.0 mm. Width. —             Approximately 12.0 mm.-14.0 mm. Thickness. — 5.0 mm.-6.0 mm.             Size. — The kernel is considered medium in size. Further the             kernel is gelatinous and immature when the fruit is fully             mature. Form. — Considered generally ovoid. Pellicle. —             Slightly pubescent. Color. — A dark tan (RHS Greyed-Orange             Group N167 A).         -   Use.—The present variety ‘Burpeachthirtyone’ is considered             to be a peach tree of the late season of maturity, and which             produces fruit which are considered to be firm, attractively             colored, and which are useful for both local and long             distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Appears excellent. The fruit of the present             variety has stored well for periods of up to 30 days after             harvest at 1.0 degree Celsius.         -   Shipping quality.—Good. The fruit of the new peach tree             variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage             after being subjected to normal harvesting and packing             procedures.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety has not             been intentionally tested to expose or detect any             susceptibilities or resistances to any known plant, fruit             diseases, insect, frost, winter injury or other ambient             environmental factors.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Fowler, Calif., in the Central part of the San Joaquin Valley of California, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude, and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, nutrition, pruning, pest control, frost, climatic variables and changes in horticultural management are to be expected. 

Having thus described and illustrated our new variety of peach tree, what we claim is new, and desire to secure by plant Letters Patent is:
 1. A new distinct variety of peach tree, substantially as illustrated and described, and which is characterized principally as to novelty by producing an attractively colored white-fleshed, free stone peach which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately September 10 to September 17 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. 